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Saturday, July 13, 2013

July StrideBox Review

About a week ago I posted (with great excitement) this picture as I opened my July StrideBox.

I've been meaning to post a review of the contents, but this past week sort of got away from me. So, without further ado, here are the contents of this awesome, running-treats filled package.

#1 - SpiderTech - X Spider - Pre-Cut Kinesiology Tape

I've never tried Kinesiology Tape before, but I see people running with it on all the time. Fortunately, I haven't been injury plagued lately (as I'm knocking on every wooden surface in my apartment). However, the description for this literally says "[s]tick it where it hurts" and my husband sometimes have pain on the outside of his knees, so maybe he'll be my guinea pig on this one.

#2 - Surge All Natural Energy Gel by Body Glove

I'm usually pretty partial to clif shots and to the powerbar gel, mostly because I like the ones with caffeine. So, I have to tell you, I'm a little skeptical of what the description describes as "long lasting natural energy" that comes from "protein and green tea." Nevertheless, I'm going to give it a try on one of my upcoming runs because the consistency feels comparable to the thinner energy gels like power bar and this particular packet is in my favorite flavor, double espresso.

#3 - Fabulous Ginger Peach - Energy Bar by Bearded Brothers

From the Bearded Brothers website: "Bearded Brothers is an organic snackfood company, located in beautiful Austin, Texas." I've heard wonderful things about this company from several bloggers, but I think I heard about them first from Olive to Run. I am particularly intrigued by this flavor combination and plan on eating it as a reward after my long run tomorrow.

#4 - Apple Pie Nutrition Bar by PR*Bar

Before this StrideBox, I was unfamiliar with this brand of nutrition bar, but I gotta tell you, if this bar actually tastes like apple pie, I'm sold. Also, the bar is 200 calories, which isn't terrible for a protein bar that has 15g of protein.

#5 - StrideBox Water Bottle & Hydration Sampler Package

(Maggie was feeling neglected and wanted to be in the picture)

I've really been LOVING all the nuun that I ordered a few weeks ago. I think that having the flavorings have really increased my water intake, which is a very good thing. Perfect timing StrideBox! Don't get me wrong, I really love the three flavors of nuun that I've tried so far (lemon-lime, tropical, grape raspberry). That being said, I'm looking forward to giving these other electrolyte powders/tablets.

1. Lemon Lime Vega Sport Electrolyte Hydration Mix

2. Grape Berry HDX Hydration Mix

3. Tri-Berry GU Brew

4. Grape nuun Electrolyte Enhanced Drink Tabs

5. Berry Zym Sport Drink Tablets

6. Tropical Punch Healthy To Go! Acai Energy Drink Mix

The only brand of these drink mixes I've tried is nuun (and I am *very* excited to try the new flavor), but I'm super pumped to try out the Zym. Zym appears to differ from these other mixes in that it contains TONS of B12.

I'll definitely be washing down my Bearded Brothers bar with one of these electrolyte drinks after my long run tomorrow.

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Have you ever tried kinesiology tape? Does it actually work?

Do you replenish your electrolytes with gatorade or have you tried these powders/tablets?

The PTs used Kinesiology Tape on my neck/shoulder area after my rotater cuff surgery. It think it helped ease some muscle strain caused by the surgery and recovery. But now I use Arnica gel - I love that stuff.